A randomized double blind comparison of real and placebo acupuncture in IVF treatment.
BACKGROUND
Acupuncture has been used during IVF treatment as it may improve outcome, however, there are concerns about the true efficacy of this approach. This randomized double blind study aimed to compare real acupuncture with placebo acupuncture in patients undergoing IVF treatment.


METHODS
On the day of embryo transfer (ET), 370 patients were randomly allocated to either real or placebo acupuncture according to a computer-generated randomization list in sealed opaque envelopes. They received 25 min of real or placebo acupuncture before and after ET. The endometrial and subendometrial vascularity, serum cortisol concentration and the anxiety level were evaluated before and after real and placebo acupuncture.


RESULTS
The overall pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the placebo acupuncture group than that in the real acupuncture group (55.1 versus 43.8%, respectively, P = 0.038; Common odds ratio 1.578 95% confidence interval 1.047-2.378). No significant differences were found in rates of ongoing pregnancy and live birth between the two groups. Reduction of endometrial and subendometrial vascularity, serum cortisol concentration and the anxiety level were observed following both real and placebo acupuncture, although there were no significant differences in the changes in all these indices between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Placebo acupuncture was associated with a significantly higher overall pregnancy rate when compared with real acupuncture. Placebo acupuncture may not be inert. Trial registered with HKClinicalTrials.com: number HKCTR-236.
So
Emily Wing Sze
EW
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
Ng
Ernest Hung Yu
EH
Wong
Yu Yeuk
YY
Lau
Estella Yee Lan
EY
Yeung
William Shu Biu
WS
Ho
Pak Chung
PC
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004717:Endometrium / Q000098:blood supply; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate
D006854:Hydrocortisone